U.S. patent number 5,536,052 [Application Number 08/317,712] was granted by the patent office on 1996-07-16 for sash lock with improved tumbler.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ro-Mai Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert G. Maier.
United States Patent |
5,536,052 |
Maier |
July 16, 1996 |
Sash lock with improved tumbler
Abstract
A tumbler is pivotably mounted in a sash lock housing. In an
extended position, an end of the tumbler limits movement of a
window sash. A post in the housing extends through an eccentric
bore in the tumbler. The bore defines a shelf or protrusion that
urges the tumbler into engagement with the housing, thereby
preventing over-rotation of the tumbler in the extended position. A
spring urges the tumbler toward the extended position and
cooperates with the protrusion to urge the tumbler into engagement
with the housing.
Inventors: |
Maier; Robert G. (Hudson,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Ro-Mai Industries, Inc.
(Twinsburg, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23234939 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/317,712 |
Filed: |
October 4, 1994 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
292/63; 292/338;
292/DIG.47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
65/08 (20130101); E05B 65/0852 (20130101); E05C
5/00 (20130101); Y10S 292/47 (20130101); Y10T
292/65 (20150401); Y10T 292/0886 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/08 (20060101); E05C 5/00 (20060101); E05C
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;292/338,339,DIG.47,DIG.15,63,67 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Meyers; Steven N.
Assistant Examiner: Millner; Monica E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pearne, Gordon, McCoy &
Granger
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sash lock, comprising:
a housing defining a cavity;
a tumbler disposed in the cavity and pivotably mounted so as to
permit pivoting movement of the tumbler between a retracted
position in the housing and an extended position projecting from
the housing;
means for biasing the tumbler toward the extended position;
a pivot post on which the tumbler is pivotably mounted; and
an eccentric pivot bore into which the pivot post extends, said
pivot bore and pivot post cooperating with the biasing means to
urge the tumbler into engagement with the housing in the extended
position thereby limiting rotation of the tumbler, wherein said
pivot bore has a protrusion resisting longitudinal movement of the
tumbler in the extended position.
2. A sash lock according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler has a
nose, said nose projecting from the housing in the extended
position and adapted to engage a window sash.
3. A sash lock according to claim 1, wherein the tumbler includes a
surface adapted for engaging a back wall of the housing in the
extended position.
4. A sash lock according to claim 1, wherein the pivot bore
includes upper and lower recesses separated by the protrusion, said
pivot post nesting in the lower recess in the extended
position.
5. A sash lock according to claim 4, wherein the lower recess has a
radius corresponding to a radius of the pivot post.
6. A sash lock according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion engages
the pivot post.
7. A sash lock according to claim 1, wherein the means for biasing
the tumbler toward the extended position comprises a spring.
8. A sash lock according to claim 7, further comprising a channel
in the tumbler in which the spring is mounted.
9. A sash lock according to claim 8, further comprising a keeper
for retaining the spring in the channel.
10. A sash lock, comprising:
a housing defining a cavity and having a post disposed therein;
a tumbler having a sash engaging nose, said tumbler having an
eccentric pivot bore therethrough and being disposed in the cavity
and pivotably mounted on the post so as to permit pivoting movement
of the tumbler between a retracted position in the housing and an
extended position wherein said nose projects from the housing;
a spring for urging the tumbler toward the extended position;
and
a protrusion defined by the bore, said protrusion being engageable
with the post and cooperating with the spring to urge the tumbler
longitudinally into engagement with the housing in the extended
position.
11. A sash lock according to claim 10, wherein the protrusion
separates upper and lower recesses of the bore and the protrusion
retains the post in the lower recess in the extended position.
12. A sash lock according to claim 10, wherein an end of the
tumbler engages a back wall of the housing and cooperates with the
pivot post to limit rotation of the tumbler in the extended
position.
13. A sash lock according to claim 12, wherein the end of the
tumbler includes a bevel.
14. A sash lock according to claim 10, further comprising a cover
mountable on the housing and having the pivot post extending
therefrom.
15. A window assembly in combination with a sash lock having
an upper sash and a lower sash, each having a header rail, a base
rail, and a pair of stiles; and
the sash lock disposed in one of the stiles of the upper sash, said
sash lock comprising:
a housing defining a cavity and having a post disposed therein;
a tumbler having a nose positioned to engage an upper surface of
the header rail of the lower sash, said tumbler having an eccentric
pivot bore therethrough and being disposed in the cavity and
pivotably mounted on the post so as to permit pivoting movement of
the tumbler between a retracted position in the housing and an
extended position wherein said nose projects from the housing;
a spring for urging the tumbler toward the extended position;
and
a protrusion defined by the bore, said protrusion being engageable
with the post and cooperating with the spring to urge the tumbler
longitudinally into engagement with the housing in the extended
position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of window assemblies
and specifically to an improved sash lock for limiting movement of
a window sash.
2. Description of the Related Art
Double hung windows are one of the most popular types of windows
for residential and other structures. A lower sash is usually
disposed immediately inwardly of a upper sash so that the sashes
overlap and slide parallel to each other in a window frame.
In order to limit relative movement of the sashes, a stop or limit
device known as a "sash lock" has been used. Sash locks have many
configurations, but typically include a tumbler pivotably disposed
in a housing mounted in a stile of the upper sash. A spring urges
the tumbler toward an extended position where the tumbler is
engageable with the header rail of the lower sash to limit movement
thereof. An upper rear surface of the tumbler engages a back wall
of the housing to limit rotation of the tumbler. Examples of sash
locks are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 417,868 to Janes; 614,741 to
Moore, Jr.; 1,946,833 to Brown; 4,824,154 to Simpson; 4,923,230 to
Simpson; and 5,248,174 to Matz.
Over-rotation of the tumbler has been a problem with sash locks. In
some circumstances, the lower sash or the user may engage the
tumbler in such a way that it does not properly engage the back
wall of the housing. Thus, the tumbler may over-rotate and cannot
adequately limit movement of lower sash. The present invention
seeks to solve this problem and others in a simple, easily
manufactured assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved sash lock. A housing
defines a cavity having a tumbler disposed in the cavity. The
tumbler is pivotably mounted so as to permit pivoting movement of
the tumbler between a retracted position in the housing and an
extended position projecting from the housing. The sash lock is
provided with means for urging the tumbler longitudinally into
engagement with the housing and means for biasing the tumbler
toward the extended position.
The tumbler has a nose projecting from the housing in the extended
position and adapted to engage a window sash. A surface of the
tumbler is adapted for engaging a back wall of the housing in the
extended position. The tumbler is pivotably mounted on a pivot
post. The pivot post and housing cooperate to limit rotation of the
tumbler.
An eccentric pivot bore into which the pivot post extends
cooperates with the pivot post to urge the tumbler into engagement
with the housing in the extended position thereby limiting rotation
of the tumbler. The pivot bore includes upper and lower recesses
separated by a protrusion, said pivot post nesting in the lower
recess in the extended position. The lower recess has a radius
corresponding to a radius of the pivot post. The protrusion engages
the pivot post and resists longitudinal movement of the tumbler in
the extended position. The means for biasing the tumbler toward the
extended position comprises a spring cooperating with the pivot
bore to urge the tumbler longitudinally into engagement with the
housing. The spring is mounted in a channel in the tumbler and
retained by a keeper in the channel.
In one embodiment, the sash lock includes a housing defining a
cavity and having a post disposed therein. A tumbler has a sash
engaging nose and an eccentric pivot bore therethrough. The tumbler
is disposed in the cavity and pivotably mounted on the post so as
to permit pivoting movement of the tumbler between a retracted
position in the housing and an extended position wherein said nose
projects from the housing. A spring urges the tumbler toward the
extended position and a protrusion defined by the bore is
engageable with the post and cooperates with the spring to urge the
tumbler longitudinally into engagement with the housing in the
extended position.
The protrusion separates a upper and lower recesses of the bore and
the protrusion retains the post in the lower recess in the extended
position. An end of the tumbler engages a back wall of the housing
and cooperates with the pivot post to limit rotation of the tumbler
in the extended position. The end of the tumbler includes a bevel.
A cover is mountable on the housing and has the pivot post
extending therefrom.
The invention also includes a window assembly having an upper sash
and a lower sash, each having a header rail, a base rail, and a
pair of stiles. The sash lock described above is disposed in one of
the stiles of the upper sash.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a window assembly according to the present invention,
including a sash lock;
FIG. 2 shows an elevational side view in section of the sash lock
in a retracted position;
FIG. 3 shows an elevational side view in section of the sash lock
in an extended position taken from line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the sash lock; and
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of spring retainer taken from line
5--5 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a double hung window 10 includes an upper sash
12 and a lower sash 14. The lower sash 14 includes a header rail 16
having an upper surface 18. The upper sash includes a pair of
stiles 20. The stiles 20 are preferably a hollow plastic
construction, but may be wood or metal or a solid construction. A
sash lock 22 is mounted in at least one of the stiles 20.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the sash lock 22 includes a housing
24 made of plastic or another sturdy and lightweight material. The
housing is hollow and defines a cavity 26. A front face 28 has an
opening 30 therethrough in communication with the cavity 26.
A tumbler 32 having a pivot bore 34 is disposed in the cavity 26
and is retained therein by a cover 36. The cover includes a pivot
post 38 extending through the pivot bore 34 and nesting in a recess
40 or aperture in a side wall 42 of the housing 24. Upper and lower
end walls 44 of the housing 24 each have mounting bores 46 therein
adapted to receive mounting posts 48 projecting from the cover 36.
The mounting posts 48 snugly receive the mounting bores 46 to hold
the cover 36 on the housing 24. The tumbler 32 is provided with a
channel 50 for receiving a wire spring 52. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
5, the spring 52 is retained in the channel 50 by a pair of
projecting spring retainers or keepers 53 to provide a snap fit.
Variations of the spring shown would be also suitable, including a
leaf spring, coil spring, an integral flexing member or other
device for biasing the tumbler 32.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, flexible housing retainers 54 extend
from the end walls 44 of the housing 24. The housing retainers 54
cooperate with a flange 56 around the front face 28 of the housing
24 to retain the housing 24 in the stile 20.
The spring 52 engages a back wall 58 of the housing 24 to bias the
tumbler 32 toward the opening 30. In an extended position, shown in
FIG. 3, a nose 60 of the tumbler 32 projects through the opening 30
and is adapted to engage the upper surface 18 of the lower sash 14.
Ridges 62 are provided to enable an operator to push the tumbler 32
into a retracted position, shown in FIG. 2, and slide the tumbler
longitudinally downwardly so that the nose 60 seats behind an inner
flange 64 of the front face 28.
The pivot bore 34 has an eccentric shape including a lower radius
66 or recess and an upper radius 68 or recess intersecting at a
protrusion 70. The lower and upper radii 66, 68 correspond to the
radius of the pivot post 38 to permit nesting of the pivot post
therein. The upper radius 68 is preferably slightly larger than the
lower radius 66. A front wall 72 of the pivot bore 34 is spaced
from the protrusion 70 to define a passage 74 therebetween. The
passage 74 is adapted to permit the pivot post 38 to pass
therethrough. The pivot bore 34, pivot post 38, inner flange 64,
and nose 60 are sized and positioned so that the pivot post nests
in the lower radius 66 when the tumbler 32 is extended. That is,
the nose 60 clears the inner flange 64 after the center of the
pivot post 38 has passed the protrusion 70.
When the tumbler 32 is in the extended position, the pivot post 38
nests in the lower radius 66 and, in cooperation with the spring
52, urges the tumbler longitudinally upwardly so that an upper end
76 of the tumbler engages an inner surface 78 of the end wall 44
and a rear bevel 80 of the tumbler engages the back wall 58 of the
housing 24. The protrusion 70 resists downward longitudinal
movement of the tumbler 32 to retain the pivot post 38 in the lower
radius 66.
The pivot bore and pivot post could have other configurations
including posts on the tumbler received in suitably shaped recesses
or apertures in the housing. Different cooperating contours of the
pivot bore and pivot post may also suitably urge the tumbler into
engagement with the housing and limit rotation of the tumbler. For
example, the recesses and pivot post need not be circular or
rounded.
In operation, the sash lock 22 is normally in the retracted
position shown in FIG. 2. The spring 52 biases the nose 60 against
the inner flange 64 to retain the tumbler 32 inside the housing 24.
The pivot post 38 nests in the upper radius 68. To limit upward
movement of the lower sash 14, the operator slides the tumbler 32
upwardly, with the aid of the ridges 62, until the nose 60 clears
the inner flange 64 and the pivot post 38 is substantially past the
protrusion 70. The spring 52 then moves the tumbler 32 to the
extended position. When the nose 60 engages the header rail 16, the
pivot post 38, back wall 58 and end wall 44 prevent rotation of the
tumbler 32 to limit movement of the lower sash 14. The protrusion
70 resists slipping of the pivot post 38 into the upper radius 68
thereby preventing over-rotation of the tumbler 32. The sash lock
22 is returned to the retracted position by pushing the tumbler 32
into the housing 24 and sliding the tumbler downwardly until the
nose 60 engages behind the inner flange 64.
All of the parts of the sash lock 22, except the spring 52, are
preferably molded from plastic. The tumbler 32 can be provided with
a notch, on a back wall, for example, to permit tunnel gating
without leaving flashing that might interfere with operation. The
spring 52 is preferably made of a durable, resilient material, such
as steel or plastic.
The present disclosure describes several embodiments of the
invention, however, the invention is not limited to these
embodiments. Other variations are contemplated to be within the
spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims.
* * * * *